A US Air Force B-52 bomber has crashed in California, killing eight people, including two Boeing employees. The incident occurred during a routine test mission from Edwards Air Force Base, a major US military facility located around 100 miles north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert.
The crash sent a huge plume of black smoke into the air, with witnesses describing the scene as 'absolutely heartbreaking'. The B-52 was supporting the base's radar modernisation programme at the time of the incident. The US military has confirmed that the crash was 'totally contained' within the base's runway.
The B-52 Stratofortress has been used by the US military since the 1950s and is known for its long-range strategic bombing capabilities. The aircraft is capable of flying at up to 50,000ft and carrying a payload of up to 70,000lb, including nuclear cruise missiles. The incident has been met with condolences from US politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Congressman Vince Fong.
No cause has yet been determined for the crash, with investigations expected to take up to 30 days. Further analysis may take longer, with some investigations potentially taking over six months to complete.